Disc changer, and associated player cooperating with the disc changer

Abstract

A disc changer comprises a frame (1), a cassette holder (3) having a positioning surface (11) for a cassette comprising with a plurality of supports for a disc, in particular an optical disc, means (75, 87) for moving said supports out of and into the cassette, and retaining means (103, 117) for retaining a disc which has been moved out of the cassette. The disc changer comprises a motor driven cassette lift to produce a rectilinear axial movement of the cassette holder relative to the frame in a direction transverse to the positioning surface of the cassette holder to transfer the discs in the cassette to a predetermined plane. The cassette lift comprises a lift element (21) which is rotatably connected to the cassette holder and which is coupled to drive means (41), which lift element has an axis of rotation (31) extending transversely of said positioning surface. The lift element comprises at least one inclined guide surface (23) for cooperation with at least one guide element of the frame, to realize said movement of the cassette holder when the lift element is rotated. The disc changer may form part of a disc player, in particular an optical-disc player.

We claim: 
     
       1. A disc changer, comprising: a frame,   a cassette holder having a positioning surface for a cassette comprising a plurality of supports each having a supporting surface for a disc,   means for moving said supports into and out of the cassette, and   retaining means for retaining a disc outside the cassette, characterized in that the disc changer comprises a motor-driven cassette lift for moving the cassette holder rectilinearly relative to the frame in a direction transverse to the positioning surface of the cassette holder to transfer the supports to one predetermined plane, the cassette lift comprising a lift element which is rotatably connected to the cassette holder and which is coupled to drive means, which lift element has an axis of rotation extending transversely of the positioning surface of the cassette holder and comprises at least one guide surface which is inclined relative to the positioning surface of the cassette holder and at least one guide element which cooperates with the guide surface, to produce said movement of the cassette holder during a rotary movement of the lift element.   
     
     
       2. A disc changer as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an automatic control system for transferring the supports to said plane. 
     
     
       3. A disc changer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said guide surface forms part of the lift element, and in that said guide element is secured to the frame. 
     
     
       4. A disc changer as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the rotatable lift element is drum-shaped and comprises cylindrical wall portions which are equidistantly spaced along the circumference of the lift element and at least one further guide surface, the guide surfaces being stepped and extending along a helical path at the location of the wall portions, and in that at least one further guide element is provided. 
     
     
       5. A disc changer as claimed in claim 1, or 2, characterized in that opposite each guide surface in the proximity of the relevant plane there a second guide surface of substantially the same shape is provided, between which guide surfaces an end portion of the guide element is axially retained. 
     
     
       6. A disc changer as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that rectilinear guide means are provided for guiding the cassette holder in said direction and at the same time inhibiting a rotary movement of said holder during rotation of the lift element. 
     
     
       7. A disc changer as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cassette holder is rotatably connected to the lift element by means of a plurality of coupling projections which engage in cylindrical slots. 
     
     
       8. A disc changer as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said drive means comprise an electric motor for driving the lift element via at least one gear wheel and teeth provided on the lift element. 
     
     
       9. A disc changer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 7 and 8, characterized in that the means for moving the supports out of and into the cassette comprise a member which is rotatably supported in the frame and which comprises a projection which acts against a side wall portion of one of the supports to move said support out of the cassette, which member comprises a surface against another side wall portion of the relevant support to move the relevant support into the cassette acts, said member being configured to be coupled to a command device. 
     
     
       10. A disc changer as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 7 and 8, characterized in that said retaining means comprise a first and a second retaining arm which are pivotally mounted on the frame and which are configured to be coupled to a command device. 
     
     
       11. A disc changer as claimed in any one of the claims 1, 2, 7 and 8, characterized in that the axis of rotation of the lift element relative to the cassette holder is defined by a central pin which is coupled both to the lift element and to the cassette holder. 
     
     
       12. A disc changer as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the command device comprises at least one command shaft which is adapted to be driven by an electric motor. 
     
     
       13. A disc changer as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said control system comprises a detection unit and a microprocessor. 
     
     
       14. A disc changer as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the detection unit comprises a light cell. 
     
     
       15. A disc player for inscribing and/or reading a rotating disc, comprising: a housing formed with an insertion opening for inserting a cassette,   a cassette holder having a positioning surface for the cassette including a plurality of supports having a respective supporting surface for a disc,   a scanning device comprising a turntable having a supporting surface for supporting the disc outside the cassette, and   a disc pressure member arranged opposite the turntable,   wherein the disc player further comprises a disc changer arranged inside the housing; and the disc changer comprises a motor-driven cassette lift for moving the cassette holder rectilinearly relative to the housing in a direction transverse to the positioning surface of the cassette holder to transfer the supports to one predetermined plane, a command device, and retaining means including a first and a second retaining arm which are pivotally mounted on a frame and are configured to be coupled to said command device, for retaining the disc outside the cassette,   the cassette lift comprises a lift element which is rotatably connected to the cassette holder and which is coupled to drive means,   the lift element has an axis of rotation extending transverse to the positioning surface of the cassette holder, and comprises at least one guide surface inclined relative to the positioning surface of the cassette holder and at least one guide element cooperating with the guide surface, to produce the movement of the cassette holder during a rotary movement of the lift element, said plane to which the supports can be transferred by the disc changer extending parallel to and near the supporting surface of the stationarily arranged turntable, and   said disc pressure member is secured to said first retaining arm.   
     
     
       16. A disc player for inscribing and/or reading a rotating disc, comprising: a housing formed with an insertion opening for inserting a cassette,   a cassette holder having a positioning surface for a cassette including a plurality of supports having a supporting surface for a disc,   a scanning device comprising a turntable having a supporting surface for supporting a disc outside the cassette, and   a disc pressure member,   wherein the disc player further comprises a disc changer arranged inside the housing; and the disc changer comprises a motor-driven cassette lift for moving the cassette holder rectilinearly relative to the housing in a direction transverse to the positioning surface of the cassette holder to transfer the supports to one predetermined plane,   the cassette lift comprises a lift element which is rotatably connected to the cassette holder and which is coupled to drive means, and   the lift element has an axis of rotation extending transverse to the positioning surface of the cassette holder, and comprises at least one guide surface inclined relative to the positioning surface of the cassette holder and at least one guide element cooperating with the guide surface, to produce the movement of the cassette holder during a rotary movement of the lift element, said plane to which the supports can be transferred by the disc changer extending parallel to and near the supporting surface of the stationarily arranged turntable.   
     
     
       17. A disc player as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that said opening in the housing can be closed by means of a shutter which is pivotally connected to the housing, which is configured to be coupled directly or indirectly to a command device, at least in order to be opened, and which is locked directly or indirectly in an open position. 
     
     
       18. A disc player as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that it comprises a damping device for damping the shutter movement in at least one pivotal direction, the shutter being configured to be coupled to the command device via a resilient lever. 
     
     
       19. A disc player as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterized in for the purpose of closing the shutter that the shutter can be unlocked by a direct or indirect coupling to the cassette holder. 
     
     
       20. A disc player as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that the shutter is locked in the open position by locking the resilient lever by means of a rigid lever supported in the housing. 
     
     
       21. A disc player as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that during a movement of the cassette holder the shutter can be released by a pivotal movement of the rigid lever caused by the cassette holder thereby, causing the resilient lever to be unlocked. 
     
     
       22. A disc player as claimed in claim 17, 18, 20 or 21, characterized in that the shutter is brought into and held in a closed condition by means of a spring.